Towing related question

[JINO]

I will be moving in a month.
I am planning to rent a uhaul trailer.

I was looking at trailer hitch with ball, 2"
What sort do I need? I have a 4" lift and 37s.

I will likely only use it once as I don't tow anything, so nothing expensive, but nothing dangerously cheap either.

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[RubiBlueJLU]

U-haul states:
“The optimal ball height for towing U-Haul trailers is 18½ to 18¾ inches. This is measured from the ground to the middle of the hitch ball, prior to connecting the trailer.”

Measure your receiver height, do the math, buy a drop that makes it work. None that you buy will be “cheap”, just vary in price.

Walmart is always a good option. Just be sure the ball shank matches the hole in the drop!

 

[AndySpill]

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/trailer-hitch-recommendations.35897/

FYI: U-Haul historically won't rent to Wrangler owners with soft tops.

 

[Heimkehr]

I use and recommend an adjustable hitch.

 

[Kracka]

UHaul sells a variety of ball drops so you may be best off just letting them help you out. Otherwise, I like farm supply stores for things like this, such as Fleet Farm, Tractor Supply, etc.

 

[Kracka]

Something about like this would likely work for your lift + tires, but you'll have to measure to be sure: https://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplie...unts/Ball-Mount-(7-3-4-drop-16-length)/?id=96

EDIT
I just did some measuring on our Rubicon and Cherokee Trailhawk, and with your lift+tires this ~8" drop will be about right for towing a UHaul trailer. The factory hitch actually sits 2" higher on the Cherokee than Rubicon. We used a 4" ball drop for our cross-country move plus other tow jobs with the Cherokee. I added 6" for your lift + tires, then subtracted 2" for the vehicle difference. 4+6-2=8

 

[azwjowner]

UHaul sells a variety of ball drops so you may be best off just letting them help you out. Otherwise, I like farm supply stores for things like this, such as Fleet Farm, Tractor Supply, etc.

I second this. When I rented a trailer at Uhaul the guy took a look at the particular height of my JL and assembled a ball drop that was the correct height. They actually know what they're doing, so I would just buy it from them.

 

[ArmyRN]

I got rid of my truck when I got my JLU. Uhaul charges like $25 +/- to rent an open trailer for the day. Too easy for the few times I really need to haul something. You might find yourself renting a trailer more than you think. Don't go too cheap on the hitch.

 

[Ratbert]

To repeat what @AndySpill said: you're pretty much screwed if you have a soft top and want to rent from U-Haul.

Their site claims 18" to the bottom of the ball, but, but in person they'll say 16. Not exactly consistent. 18 is too tall.

 

[Old Jeeper]

I will be moving in a month.
I am planning to rent a uhaul trailer.

I was looking at trailer hitch with ball, 2"
What sort do I need? I have a 4" lift and 37s.

I will likely only use it once as I don't tow anything, so nothing expensive, but nothing dangerously cheap either.

Trailer: Single wheel or Tandem wheel?

Single wheel a bit of up or down nose is tolerable, aim to be level as you can.

Tandem you NEED to be level. Up puts more weight and wear on the rear set of wheels. Down-nose puts more weight on forward wheels.

Walmart has cheap bubble levels over in the RV section. Get one and put it on the V nose half-way between the box and the hitch. Use it to get level on tandem wheels.

If you are not used to towing trailers. Remember to ensure that your weight is over and forward of your axle. This keeps the trailer from swinging L to R when driving. If your trailer starts to swing hard L/R do not slam on the brakes, SPEED up instead, As soon as it stops let off and gradually slow down and readjust your inside weight distribution to move heavily forward.

 

[AndySpill]

Trailer: Single wheel or Tandem wheel?

Single wheel a bit of up or down nose is tolerable, aim to be level as you can.

Tandem you NEED to be level. Up puts more weight and wear on the rear set of wheels. Down-nose puts more weight on forward wheels.

Walmart has cheap bubble levels over in the RV section. Get one and put it on the V nose half-way between the box and the hitch. Use it to get level on tandem wheels.

If you are not used to towing trailers. Remember to ensure that your weight is over and forward of your axle. This keeps the trailer from swinging L to R when driving. If your trailer starts to swing hard L/R do not slam on the brakes, SPEED up instead, As soon as it stops let off and gradually slow down and readjust your inside weight distribution to move heavily forward.

To Don's point on trailer's and wheels, your JLs 3500 pound towing limit is probably going to prevent you from renting U-Haul's largest tandem wheel cargo trailer https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/6x12-Cargo-Trailer-Rental/RV/. Of course the trailer you rent need not be the enclosed cargo variety, and U-Haul's enclosed cargo 4'x8' or 5' x 8' versions should be fine weight wise.

FYI: Enclosed is not to be confused with water tight. IMHO invest in a Harbor Freight tarp to place on top of items that don't do well getting wet, otherwise inside such an enclosed trailer.

Also, remember, when backing up with the trailer attached you turn the towing vehicle's steering wheel in the opposite direction that you wish the trailer to turn.

 

[Heimkehr]

Also, remember, when backing up with the trailer attached you turn the towing vehicle's steering wheel in the opposite direction that you wish the trailer to turn.

I was taught to place one hand on the bottom of the steering wheel when reversing with a trailer. This allows for intuitive turning. E.g., if the driver wants to turn right, he just moves his hand to the right.

This M.O. provides the desired outcome without having to consciously remember to turn the wheel in the opposite direction. ?

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